Environmental Geology with a Year in Industry

Environmental Geology is at the front line in the fight against some of the greatest threats facing humankind. From manmade crises including climate change and resource depletion to life-threatening natural disasters such as volcanoes and earthquakes, the skills of environmental geologists are called upon to overcome a complex set of problems.

Study Environmental Geology with a Year in Industry at Royal Holloway, University of London and you’ll gain an advanced understanding of the geological processes that affect the world around us, while examining the extent of human interaction with the environment. This flexible four-year programme includes a year in industry, providing you with invaluable career experience and the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice.

You’ll study in a dynamic, research-led department, consistently ranked among the UK’s top 10 (The Complete University Guide and The Times Good University Guide 2018). You’ll contribute to our leading research, and in your final year you'll choose from a range of optional modules including Marine Geology and Volcanology.

Learning takes place in our friendly, community-focussed department, with a high staff-to-student ratio. Participating in exciting fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas will develop your scientific understanding and hands-on experience of environmental, ecological and health issues.

You’ll graduate with real, applicable industry experience and a diverse transferrable skillset including environmental investigation, stratigraphy and geochemistry skills. This flexible programme is geared towards maximising your career opportunities in Environmental Geology and beyond.

Gain a thorough understanding of environmental geoscience.

Contribute to our leading research working alongside our expert academics.

Optional modules to tailor your degree around your interests.

Participate in extensive fieldwork opportunities.

Graduate with practical and research skills needed for a rewarding career.

Graduate with a degree accredited by the Geological Society.

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

• Physics and Chemistry of the Earth

• Earth Scientists Toolkit

• Evolving Earth

• Dynamic Planet

• Human Interaction with the Earth

• Academic Integrity

Year 2

• Stratigraphy and Past Sedimentary Environments

• Geological Evolution and Deep Time Synthesis

• Geohazards

• Geochemistry

• Geological field skills for Environmental students

• Earth Scientists Practical Toolkit

• Earth Scientists Digital Toolkit

Year 3

• Applied Geology (Industrial Placement)

Year 4

• Environmental Geology Independent Project

• Hydrogeology

• Methods of Environmental Investigation

• Techniques in Earth Sciences

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1

• All modules are core

Year 2

• Sedimentary Basin Analysis

• Igneous and Metamorphic Geology

• Applied Geophysics

• Structural Analysis and Remote Sensing

Year 4

• Marine Geology

• Advanced Topics in Sedimentology

• GIS and Remote Sensing

• Volcanology

• Modern Climate Change

• Mineral Resources

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/earth-sciences/environmental-geology-with-a-year-in-industry/

Teaching and learning is mostly by means of practical classes, which comprise 60% of the timetabled study time. Lectures are used to introduce material and provide a context for private study. Tutorials supplement and reinforce knowledge and understanding. Field and laboratory project work carried out as individuals or in teams are valuable opportunities for students to develop in-depth knowledge of specialist areas and help to bring the syllabus to life.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the chosen course units. Coursework can include literature research reports, fieldwork and laboratory exercises and reports, oral presentations and independent dissertations. In the final year you will produce an independent geological map and write a research report with individual guidance from your tutor.

Year 1 is foundational, and marks do not count towards your final degree. Year 2, optional year abroad and final year marks do count, with the final year marks being more heavily weighted in order to reward progress and achievement.